(Opinion): Uncoventional, Dynamic and Flexibility ln Politics; The Umahi Example – Okwadike

It can only take someone with a large heart, political dynamism, foresight, political maturity in leadership, fear of God, the interest of the people and the sue for peace, for a proven political leader, who does not owe it to anyone, but feels he may either have hurt or had been misunerstood by some of his older opponents, to swallow his pride to go the extra mile and apologise for peace to reign. What a leader!

Governor Dave Umahi, probably believes, as a talented, gifted and tested and proven leader, that in politics there should be no permanent enemies, but permanent interests, that the people, from whom power is derived, are supreme , that true leaders must have the fear of God and nothing can be achieved when there’s no peaceful co-existence and accommodation of each others’ feelings or decisions, hence his public admissions and call for peace. Politics is just a game and so much is deployed to achieve or safeguard positions, but personal relashionships are sacred and kept for posterity.

We appreciate and thank the Peoples’ Governor for the human face and enduring style of leadership he brings to politics. So nice if other political leaders can recipreciate and follow his good examples. Peace is it.

Maybe going a little back to site big politcal compromises made by great leaders in our history, may help at this time.

A political party in Nigeria, the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, NNPP, had as its slogan, politics without bitterness. Their leader, Alhaji Waziri lbrahim, was the founder & leader of Nigeria Peoples’ Party, NPP, which was later declared for and taken over by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe preceeding ’79 elections. Yes, it happened in this country as history for anyone who cares to learn. Dr Azikiwe or Zik, a Southeastern political leader and Waziri a northerner both moved on and heavens did not fall. It was a lesson, at the highest level of politics, which today’s politicians have nothing to learn from.

Most today’s politicians who are there for what they can grab for themselves, care less about political leadership or do anything in the larger interest of the people they represent. Instead they play politics with so much bitterness, unforgiving spirits, violence, hatred, provocative language, refuse to accommodate others’ feelings or see reasons in whatever course others decide to follow. They want to rigidly adhere to the old ways that has not and may never take them anywhere or change the political or economic fortune of their people. They, in fact, have no interest or learnt nothing from the style or method of politics as was played by our founding fathers, hence the ugly situation or downward trend we are faced with, as a people or country. Rather than try to achieve or make their mark in politics, they gang up to scuttle moves by seious leaders. Too bad indeed.

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, on the other hand, who was the first and probably the last true political leader of then Eastern Region/lgbos, played politics alongside other regional leaders like, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, of the Western Region and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto, of the Northern Region. They were largely listened to respected and fiercely followed until their last days or before the new generation politicians of selfish grabers, betrayers and sell-outs, especially in the Southeast, emerged on the political scene.

Those said regional politicians or Premiers, became great leaders, primarily due to their selfless leadership styles, huge sacrifices, the way touched lives and what they were able to do or achieve for their various regions, They were selfless, desipite the huge avenues or opportunities they had to enrich themselves or establish family economic empires, but chose not to.

An example of quality leadership of the old, which is probably the highest, was when the northern leader, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, who was the leader of the northern regional party and by the parliamentary system, Nigeria practiced at the time, ought to have become the Prime Minister, but surprisinly nominated the hitherto lttle known younger Tafawa belewa, to form government and became the Prime Minister, after his party, the Northern Peoples’ Congress, NPC, won the 1960 parliamentary elections. That was despite the fact that he had all it took; very educated, knowledgeable, experienced and fiercely followed in the north to become the first Prime Minister, but chose to stay back as Premier to develope his region. That was a true sacrifice which am not sure any other politician, living or dead, would have made.

The great Zik, who was also the Eastern Regional Premier and leader of NCNC at the time, thought otherwise and acted differently, in the larger interest of his people. He left for the centre to form an alliance with NPC to be able to form a government. He chose Dr M.l. Okpara, a much younger and another little known politician, to replace him as the Eastern Regional Premier. Okpara laid the foundation for the regional growth and had so many landmark achievements that have lasted till this day. Zik himself accepted a ceremonial president and in that position, empowered so many easterners with civil service jobs, contracts and attracted federal institutions to the east.

Chief Awolowo chose to remain outside government and became the major and most effective political leader with his party the Action Group

The Tinubus and Buharis, Amaechis, Fashiolas all of wide or different generations and strange bed fellows, made it to power today through political compromises and nothing happened. The rest, they say is history.

Nigerian politicians, especiall in the Southeast, must cultivate that habbit of selflessnes, forgiveness, retraction when they go wrong, tolerance of each other and either work together as a group when it’s neccessary/working or allow others, who can, to be more daring and dynamic in service to their people to break away..

At the end of the journey and when the dust settles, some politicians are going to be counted or make the list on the side of the great politicians of this country who lived, only by what they are able to achieve today and legacies they will leave behind for posterity.

When people don’t know and talk about you, something is either wrong or your impact and presence are not being felt.

My thoughts.
Okwadike